My Article in Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

Posted on October 24, 2019June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

My Article in Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

This is an article I have written for Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine, about the racism within the nature conservation and environmental sector and the need for the sectors to become ethnically diverse. https://www.resurgence.org/magazine/article5422-calling-out-racisms-to-save-our-planet.html “If the environmental sector fails to become ethnically diverse, it fails to bring on board an increasingly large section of our society. It will not have the widespread support it needs to stop climate breakdown, create sustainable cities or save the million species that are predicted to become extinct. We have to engage everyone in our society if we are to succeed in turning the tide of the environmental crisis.”

The photograph was taken by Oliver Edwards for Scouts Magazine

A selection of articles (and accompanying images) from each issue from Resurgence and Ecologist are available as ‘free to read’ online and help to generate greater awareness about ecological issues and share new ideas, analysis and inspiration with both new and existing readers. You can find my article in the November/December 2019 Magazine.

Teen Backchat

Posted on April 30, 2019June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Teen Backchat

The April edition of Birdwatching Magazine had a full page article called “Backchat with Mya-Rose Craig” with some quick fire fun question and answers.

This is the online full version Birdwatching Magazine Article

Hope you enjoy it!

Being the Friends of the Earth Magazine Earth Matters’ Front Cover

Posted on March 10, 2017June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Being the Friends of the Earth Magazine Earth Matters’ Front Cover

Last December, Friends of the Earth UK asked me if I would be interviewed for their magazine. I do quite a few interviews so said yes, thinking nothing of it.

The following week, Friends of the Earth asked if their photographer could come down to Bristol and take a few photographs. They wanted photographs of me ringing, so I fixed for him to come the following Saturday morning to Chew Valley Ringing Station.

The morning went like this:

8.30 am BBC Points West News camera crew and reporter Alice Bouverie to film about Black2 Nature

9.30 am Andrew McGibbon Friends of the Earth UK photographer with assistant

10.45 am Quick change of clothes from birding gear to trendy city clothes

11.30 am Shopping with my friend in Bristol’s Cabot Circus

With my trainer Mike Bailey and BBC Points West film crew

When Andrew arrived, he told me that he was shooting for the front cover of their magazine. That didn’t phase me, as I thought he meant that I was going to be in a little box on the front cover with the other people being interviewed.

With Andrew McGibbon from Friends of the Earth

In January the magazine editor e-mailed my mum. She said that she just wanted to check a fact. I had said that I had been taken on my first twitch when I was 9 days old and she was just checking if it was meant to read 9 weeks or 9 months. Mum had to e-mail back to say that I was right, they had taken me to the Isles of Scilly when I was only 9 days old to see a Lesser Kestrel!

I didn’t hear anything more until the end of January when Andrew tweeted me with a photograph of the front cover of the Friends of the Earth members magazine, “Earth Matters”. I was stunned and embarrassed to see my face on the front of the magazine with my quote “beauty all around me”. Was that really me?

This was at a time when there were unpleasant things going on for me on Twitter, so this was amazing and made me feel above it all. The magazine hasn’t been posted out yet though so all I had seen was this photograph.

The whole of that was unreal in itself, but the next thing was even more unbelievable.

A couple of weeks later, I had a previously arranged meeting at the Friends of the Earth Head office in London with Paul De Zylva who is very senior there, to talk about Black2Nature and the environmental sector. First, I got to look around their fantastic and trendy offices which are in old printworks, with an igloo and treehouse for quiet and creative working. I definitely would like to work there and try it all out.

As we walked around the office, everywhere I looked there were 4-5 magazines spread out on desks and tables, all with my face on them, starting in the reception. There were also huge TV screens around the office, all with my face across them. As we wandered around, staff did a double-take as they recognised my face but maybe didn’t know where from initially. I also got to see Andrew, which was lovely. He said he was really proud of my cover and the full-page photograph of my inside and said that he thought it was probably the best Earth Matters cover ever! As a teenager, I was of course hugely embarrassed, but when I actually picked the magazine up and saw it in real life, I suddenly felt really proud.

I doubt very much that I will be the front cover of a magazine like that again, but even if I am, there is no way I’ll ever have the experience of walking around the Friends of the Earth offices like that and seeing my face everywhere. That was an incredible experience. Thank you Friends of the Earth and I would encourage you all to join up.

A couple of weeks later, the magazine was posted out to Friends of the Earth members and I started hearing from people I knew as they received their magazine. My image was the full size on the A4 envelopes sending out the magazines. A teacher at school brought in the magazine and put it up on the staff notice board. It was great that so many people I knew were members of Friends of the Earth.

This is a link to an on-line shortened version of the magazine
bit.ly/2mFMfYt.

Black2Nature in The Wildlife Trusts’ Magazines

Posted on November 2, 2016June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Black2Nature in The Wildlife Trusts’ Magazines

In November 2017, an article that I wrote about my Race Equality in Nature Conference and my Black2Nature project appeared in The Wildlife Trusts Winter Magazine, Natural World. The Magazine is read by all members of the individual Wildlife Trusts, to a huge 880,000 people.

I wrote about my experience as a young minority ethnic naturalist, noticing the lack of other minority ethnic people and how important it was to get more people engaged in nature.

I wrote about Camp Avalon which took place in June 2015 and 2016, what I learnt from that and my Race Equality in Nature Conference in June 2016.

The article contained some of the findings from the conference when we looked at the barriers to Minority Ethnic people getting out into nature, what can be done to overcome the barriers and how to create role models.

Lots of people contacted me to say how important my article was and that in the future people would look back and say that it was when the issue came to many people’s notice.

The week after the Natural World Magazine arrived, my Wildlife Watch Magazine arrived with my article inside about Camp Avalon, inviting young people to come and take part. It was really funny because my friends at The Wildlife Trust head office thought that it was the first time that someone had articles in both magazines at the same time!

Interview in BBC Wildlife Magazine

Posted on September 28, 2016June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Interview in BBC Wildlife Magazine

The BBC Wildlife Magazine October 2016 Edition had an article about Minority Ethnic people and about the fact that they were not going out into nature. Parts of an interview by me were included on page 32, “Diverse Nature” with a photo. The article is an interesting one and raises awareness of this topic to a wider audience who will know nothing about it. Well done to Ben Hoare and BBC Wildlife Magazine for highlighting the issue and getting the debate started.

In March, following announcing my Race Equality in Nature Conference to take place in June (aiming to overcome the barriers to ethnic minority [non-white] people getting out into nature in the UK) I was approached by Ben Hoare, Features Editor at BBC Wildlife Magazine, as he wanted to highlight the issue and write an article on the subject. I was interviewed by Ben just before the conference, gave him background reports & info and details of others he could contact.

The article was written by asking BAME naturalists for their views on the topic. This was interesting to read and illuminating for most people interviewed. However, this approach assumed that just because someone was Minority Ethnic and an expert in nature, that they were an also an expert in race, which was not correct. All they could do was give their individual view, which sometimes was a odds with the research and experts in race equality, diversity and inclusion but left unchallenged. For example, the issue of whether BAME should be used was I think a diversion from the actual issue, also giving the impression to the white readership that Minority Ethnic people were divided when this is not true for the majority. Also, the experts didn’t have the chance to give their views in response though I understand that this was probably

I think discussions like this should include at least sections that are “Black-led” race experts.

The Conference was a great success and the Conference Report is at https://1drv.ms/f/s!AlHI1zymOkP6lFciU1tQX0r56Nmn with additional documents in Appendix 1.1 https://1drv.ms/f/s!AlHI1zymOkP6lFUbVyvJ1OfT1c5r and Appendix 1.2 https://1drv.ms/f/s!AlHI1zymOkP6lHO2pVQbVZxh3mn3

If you are interested in trying to make those out in nature from more diverse backgrounds, then please connect with me on LinkedIn (Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig https://www.linkedin.com/in/mya-rose-birdgirl-craig-350b598b) and ask to join the Race Equality in Nature Group. Please can you also share this information, so that we can get as many people as possible from all backgrounds involved (nature organisations and people working in ethnic minority communities, health & education).

ABA Magazine’s article about me and the Sundarbans oil spill

Posted on June 15, 2016June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

ABA Magazine’s article about me and the Sundarbans oil spill

The American Birding Association has got a huge membership and has a quarterly magazine. The Magazine just out is called “Birders’ Guide to Conservation and Community” with lots of brilliant articles about sex, race and getting young people into nature.

Noah Strycker (last year’s Big World Year winner, seeing over 6000 birds in the year) has written an article about my highlighting the environmentally disastrous Sundarbans oil spill in Bangladesh. Thank you Noah for your lovely article. The article about me is on pages 9 – 10 http://bit.ly/1YqRDfx

The 2016 issue of Birder’s Guide to Conservation & Community is at the printers. American Birding Association members should find it in their mailboxes in the next couple weeks. But you don’t have to wait until then to see what’s inside. You can see the entirety of this issue of Birder’s Guide right now. Simply click here. (Birder’s Guide is just one of the free resources that the ABA provides to the birding public.)

“Conservation Milestones” is back. It highlights the real accomplishments of birders like you. Look out for Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on pages 9 -10.

At the heart of this issue are efforts to increase inclusion and remove barriers to participation in birding. A diverse suite of contributors shared their thoughts on women in birding, and Jennifer Rycenga expounded on the formation of GBNA, our region’s informal LGBT birding club.
A recurring theme from past issues is the importance of cultivating the next generation of conservationists. Tiffany Kersten talks about the importance of starting young in this issue, and Jennie Duberstein reports to us about ongoing efforts in northwest Mexico.

My Article in New Internationalist Magazine

Posted on June 14, 2016June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

My Article in New Internationalist Magazine

This is my latest article which is for New Internationalist Magazine Blog about the impact fashion has on the environment http://bit.ly/1ZP6zmu and is called “Why I love Pre-loved, Unloved and Recycled”.

Wikipedia states:
New Internationalist is published by New Internationalist Publications, a co-operative-run publisher based in Oxford, England. It has editorial and sales offices in Toronto, Canada; Adelaide, Australia; Christchurch, New Zealand; and New York, USA.

Originally the group only published the New Internationalist magazine, co-sponsored by Oxfam and Christian Aid. Today sponsorship is no longer needed, the magazine being completely self-funded. Besides the income earned from sales of the magazine, the group now produces films, books and other materials for various United Nations and related bodies concerned with world development.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Appearing in The Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

Posted on April 13, 2016June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Appearing in The Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

Today I appeared in The Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine
http://www.theecologist.org/campaigning/2987537/opening_up_the_debate_on_gmos_to_the_voices_of_the_future.html

When I heard that the GMO campaign by Beyond GM that I had been involved in called “Our Food our Future” with my video on GMO’s had appeared in The Resurgence and Ecologist, I knew it was significant but was not sure exactly why. As a British activist, I had heard of The Ecologist, but I didn’t know why it was prominent. So I looked it up. This is what I found on Wikipedia.

“The Ecologist is the title of a British environmental journal, then magazine, that was published from 1970 to 2009. Founded by Edward Goldsmith, it addressed a wide range of environmental subjects and promoted an ecological system thinking approach through its news stories, investigations and opinion articles. The Ecologist encouraged its readers to tackle global issues on a local scale. After the cessation of its print edition in July 2009, The Ecologist continued as an online magazine. In mid-2012, it merged with Resurgence magazine, edited by Satish Kumar, with the first issue of the new Resurgence & Ecologist appearing in print in September 2012. The Ecologist was based in London.”

“In 1972, the Ecologist published A Blueprint for Survival (1972), to which an entire issue was dedicated. Writing in the Guardian newspaper, former contributor Fred Pearce described it as “a radical green manifesto that went on to sell 750,000 copies and kept the magazine financially afloat for years.”[citation needed] A recommendation of the Blueprint led directly to the creation of the People Party which became the Ecology Party and then the Green Party (UK). A Blueprint for Survival follows through the consequences of what happens when humans disrupt the ecosystems in which they exist. It explains that when these systems are disrupted, they alter other ecosystems all over the world. Written in an age before climate change was understood, A Blueprint for Survival stands as one of the earliest forecasts of many of the environmental problems the world faces today.”

“In the ‘Monsanto‘ issue of September 1998, The Ecologist assembled a selection of articles critical of agri-business giant, Monsanto’s, environmental record. The Ecologist’s printing firm at the time, Penwell’s, feared libel litigation from Monsanto and pulped the 14,000 copies of the edition. The issue was ultimately printed by a small London printer and went on to become the most-sold issue of The Ecologist ever.”

“Amongst its editors was Zac Goldsmith, Edward’s Nephew. He stepped down as editor in June 2007, saying, “The magazine has to remain impartial and feel free to have a go at the Government and at the Conservatives. So I can’t both be the editor and a parliamentary candidate.” He remained as Chairman and Director of The Ecologist.”

It’s important to understand the work of others before and clearly The Resurgence and Ecologist has done a huge amount to highlight issues to do with the environment.

It’s a shame that the Goldsmiths are so right wing in their politics as it would have been great to have someone standing as London Mayor from the Green Party. I actually think there is a conflict between conservative politics and environmental principles, at least at the moment.

So now I understand the importance of appearing in an iconic environmental Magazine and feel very proud of myself. Well done to Pat Thomas at Beyond GM for getting her article published there.

For more information http://bit.ly/1qGqWqC

American Birding Association Birding Magazine Article Dec 2015

Posted on January 31, 2016June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

American Birding Association Birding Magazine Article Dec 2015

In the December 2015 American Birding Association magazine “Birding” I was mentioned in an article on page 8 called “ABA’s Young Birders: The Future is now” as I entered the ABA Young Birder of the Year competition 2015.

I was also mentioned in the birding milestones section on page 10 about be seeing my 4000th bird in the world and with a photo of my 4000th bird on the contents page (page 5) http://bit.ly/1S2W7SC

Red-throated Tit, my 4000th bird in the world.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig taking a photo of a Red-throated Tit, Kenya
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Red-throated Tit, Swaro Plains, Kenya
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Also on the Audubon Magazine website, there is an article about me, which I am very proud of:

https://www.audubon.org/news/the-little-twitcher-who-could

Top 10 Tips on How to be a Birder

Posted on January 24, 2015June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Top 10 Tips on How to be a Birder

A Young Birder’s Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at Chew Valley Lake
Photograph taken by and copyright Oliver Edwards Photography

Last year I was interviewed by Ben Hoare, the features editor at BBC Wildlife Magazine, for an article in BBC Countryfile Magazine. I met Ben at Chew Valley Lake at the beautiful Woodford Lodge. We had an amazing time chatting about birds and anything else that came up. We were chatting so much that we ended up being there for a couple of hours. I had loads of fun, really enjoying my first proper interview! So much that I forgot all about the tape recorder.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at Chew Valley Ringing Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Oliver Edwards Photography

A few weeks later, I met Oliver Edwards a photographer from Bristol, at the Chew Valley Ringing Station. Oliver took lots of photographs of me at the ringing station and around the lake, which I also really enjoyed. It did not take long for me to get over any slight shyness! He was an amazing photographer and I love having so many cool photographs of my birding and ringing.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at Chew Valley Lake
Photograph taken by and copyright Oliver Edwards Photography

Interview with a Young Birder

The interview was published in the September 2014 edition of BBC Countryfile Magazine. In it, I explained why I thought birds were cool and why birding is brilliant fun for children and adults to take part in. There was even a mention of my interview on the front page which was amazing.

As well as the magazine interview, there was also an online article by me, where I shared my top ten tips for bird watching beginners http://bit.ly/1zhu2D8.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at Chew Valley Lake
Photograph taken by and copyright Oliver Edwards Photography

My Article in Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

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Teen Backchat

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Being the Friends of the Earth Magazine Earth Matters’ Front Cover

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Black2Nature in The Wildlife Trusts’ Magazines

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Interview in BBC Wildlife Magazine

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ABA Magazine’s article about me and the Sundarbans oil spill

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My Article in New Internationalist Magazine

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Appearing in The Resurgence and Ecologist Magazine

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American Birding Association Birding Magazine Article Dec 2015

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Top 10 Tips on How to be a Birder

Interview with a Young Birder

About The Author

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